Detectives probe nine over rampant theft of stock in Mavoko

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives in Mlolongo are probing nine people suspected to be aiding stock theft in Katani, Mavoko Constituency Machakos County.

The nine men were mentioned by residents and their names given to the DCI for interrogations after a series of endless theft of livestock in the area.

According to Mlolongo, Katani division assistant county commissioner Dennis Ongaga, more than 600 animals have been stolen in the last eight months in Athi River sub-county by unknown people.

Ongaga said the most affected villages are Katani, Ngelani and Seme in Mavoko constituency.

In a public baraza held in Katani on Friday, the ACC expressed his concern on the matter saying it has led to high insecurity challenge in the area.

“In a period of eight months, since January 2021 to date in August, Mlolongo and Katani Divisions has lost 143 animals while the larger Athi River sub county, we approximate 600 cattle have gone missing without a trace,” Ongaga said.

On Monday and Thurday 39 livestock was stolen in Seme and Kwandoo Village of Katani Location, but later found abandoned by the suspected thieves, when they got hind that public was pursuing them.

The approachable ACC said the mentioned persons will aid investigations as security brings notes together to undo stock theft puzzle that has caused many sleepless nights.

He revealed the stolen livestock is suspected to be sold in Kitengela slaughter houses of Kajiado County, Kamulu and part of Nairobi in Nairobi County.

“Mlolongo and Katani is a vast area, we have recorded all the escape routes suspected to be used by the thieves to run away with stolen animals. We have mount police road blocks and increased Nyumba 10 and Community policing to ensure all are nabbed,” said the ACC.

Speaking to K24 Digital during the public baraza held in Katani, some residents pleaded with the security personnel to beep up crack down on the suspected gang, which is terrorizing and causing them to incur losses in thousands of shilling.

They however want active police patrols in the affected areas to ensure security of their farming.
Mr. Ongaga saw the community declare and form a community Grazing Team tasked with the responsibilities of profiling all livestock brought grazing in the area.

The Katani grazing committee is made up of members appointed from each village and led by their sub chiefs.

“We have livestock being brought for feeding from counties of Tana River and Kajiado, who come and lease feed from residents for several weeks,” said Ongaga.

He added that, “The committee will be charged with the responsibility of recording the names of all who lease grazing parcels, their number of livestock, and number of days they will be in the area and also a count of their animals during their exit.”

Ongaga either said the committee will monitor daily movements of those feeding their animals in the area to ensure none runs away with resident livestock.

He requested the public to work together with security by giving information of suspected thieves and their hideouts to ease arrest.

“The community in confidence should timely give information for quick response, on those colluding with any gang stealing herds. Also

"Home owners must profile their employees since some employ "foreigners" who aren’t known their background,” requested Ongaga.